John:16

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* Verse 1-6 - Our Lord Jesus , by giving his disciples notice of trouble , designed that the terror might not be a surprise to them . It is possible for those who are real enemies to God 's service , to pretend zeal for it . This does not lessen the sin of the persecutors ; villanies will never be changed by putting the name of God to them . As Jesus in his sufferings , so his followers in theirs , should look to the fulfilling of Scripture . He did not tell them sooner , because he was with them to teach , guide , and comfort them ; they needed not then this promise of the Holy Spirit 's presence . It will silence us to ask , Whence troubles come ? It will satisfy us to ask , Whither go they ? for we know they work for good . It is the common fault and folly of melancholy Christians to look only on the dark side of the cloud , and to turn a deaf ear to the voice of joy and gladness . That which filled the disciples ' hearts with sorrow , was too great affection for this present life . Nothing more hinders our joy in God , than the love of the world , and the sorrow of the world which comes from it . * Verse 7-15 - Christ 's departure was necessary to the Comforter 's coming . Sending the Spirit was to be the fruit of Christ 's death , which was his going away . His bodily presence could be only in one place at one time , but his Spirit is every where , in all places , at all times , wherever two or three are gathered together in his name . See here the office of the Spirit , first to reprove , or to convince . Convincing work is the Spirit 's work ; he can do it effectually , and none but he . It is the method the Holy Spirit takes , first to convince , and then to comfort . The Spirit shall convince the world , of sin ; not merely tell them of it . The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin ; of the fault of sin ; of the folly of sin ; of the filth of sin , that by it we are become hateful to God ; of the fountain of sin , the corrupt nature ; and lastly , of the fruit of sin , that the end thereof is death . The Holy Spirit proves that all the world is guilty before God . He convinces the world of righteousness ; that Jesus of Nazareth was Christ the righteous . Also , of Christ 's righteousness , imparted to us for justification and salvation . He will show them where it is to be had , and how they may be accepted as righteous in God 's sight . Christ 's ascension proves the ransom was accepted , and the righteousness finished , through which believers were to be justified . Of judgment , because the prince of this world is judged . All will be well , when his power is broken , who made all the mischief . As Satan is subdued by Christ , this gives us confidence , for no other power can stand before him . And of the day of judgment . The coming of the Spirit would be of unspeakable advantage to the disciples . The Holy Spirit is our Guide , not only to show us the way , but to go with us by continued aids and influences . To be led into a truth is more than barely to know it ; it is not only to have the notion of it in our heads , but the relish , and savour , and power of it in our hearts . He shall teach all truth , and keep back nothing profitable , for he will show things to come . All the gifts and graces of the Spirit , all the preaching , and all the writing of the apostles , under the influence of the Spirit , all the tongues , and miracles , were to glorify Christ . It behoves every one to ask , whether the Holy Spirit has begun a good work in his heart ? Without clear discovery of our guilt and danger , we never shall understand the value of Christ 's salvation ; but when brought to know ourselves aright , we begin to see the value of the Redeemer . We should have fuller views of the Redeemer , and more lively affections to him , if we more prayed for , and depended on the Holy Spirit . * Verse 16-22 - It is good to consider how near our seasons of grace are to an end , that we may be quickened to improve them . But the sorrows of the disciples would soon be turned into joy ; as those of a mother , at the sight of her infant . The Holy Spirit would be their Comforter , and neither men nor devils , neither sufferings in life nor in death , would ever deprive them of their joy . Believers have joy or sorrow , according to their sight of Christ , and the tokens of his presence . Sorrow is coming on the ungodly , which nothing can lessen ; the believer is an heir to joy which no one can take away . Where now is the joy of the murderers of our Lord , and the sorrow of his friends ? * Verse 23-27 - Asking of the Father shows a sense of spiritual wants , and a desire of spiritual blessings , with conviction that they are to be had from God only . Asking in Christ 's name , is acknowledging our unworthiness to receive any favours from God , and shows full dependence upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness . Our Lord had hitherto spoken in short and weighty sentences , or in parables , the import of which the disciples did not fully understand , but after his resurrection he intended plainly to teach them such things as related to the Father and the way to him , through his intercession . And the frequency with which our Lord enforces offering up petitions in his name , shows that the great end of the mediation of Christ is to impress us with a deep sense of our sinfulness , and of the merit and power of his death , whereby we have access to God . And let us ever remember , that to address the Father in the name of Christ , or to address the Son as God dwelling in human nature , and reconciling the world to himself , are the same , as the Father and Son are one . * Verse 28-33 - Here is a plain declaration of Christ 's coming from the Father , and his return to him . The Redeemer , in his entrance , was God manifest in the flesh , and in his departure was received up into glory . By this saying the disciples improved in knowledge . Also in faith ; "Now are we sure ." Alas ! they knew not their own weakness . The Divine nature did not desert the human nature , but supported it , and put comfort and value into Christ 's sufferings . And while we have God 's favourable presence , we are happy , and ought to be easy , though all the world forsake us . Peace in Christ is the only true peace , in him alone believers have it . Through him we have peace with God , and so in him we have peace in our own minds . We ought to be encouraged , because Christ has overcome the world before us . But while we think we stand , let us take heed lest we fall . We know not how we should act if brought into temptation ; let us watch and pray without ceasing , that we may not be left to ourselves . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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